U.S. patent application number 15/529376 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-14 for advice generation system, advice generation method, and advice generation device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Akinobu SATO.
Application Number | 20170262607 15/529376 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56091275 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170262607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SATO; Akinobu |
September 14, 2017 |
ADVICE GENERATION SYSTEM, ADVICE GENERATION METHOD, AND ADVICE
GENERATION DEVICE
Abstract
An advice generation system including: a measuring unit which
measures a subject's activity status and outputs activity data
based on the activity status; an achievement state acquisition unit
which acquires achievement state information that is achievement
state information with respect to a goal to be achieved by the
subject; an amount of action calculation unit which calculates
action information amount that is a cumulative amount of action
taken by the subject to achieve the goal, based on the activity
data acquired by the measuring unit; a motivation determination
unit which determines the subject's motivation to achieve the goal
based on trends of change in the achievement state information and
in the amount of action information, during a period until the
achievement of the goal planned by the subject; and an advice
generation unit which generates advice for the subject based on the
determination's result on the motivation.
Inventors: |
SATO; Akinobu; (Chino-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
56091275 |
Appl. No.: |
15/529376 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
December 3, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2015/005701 |
371 Date: |
May 24, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 50/20 20180101;
A61B 5/4866 20130101; G16H 70/60 20180101; A61B 5/02438 20130101;
G16H 40/63 20180101; A61B 5/486 20130101; G06F 19/3418 20130101;
G06Q 50/22 20130101; G16H 40/67 20180101; A61B 5/1118 20130101;
A61B 2562/0219 20130101; A61B 5/224 20130101; A61B 5/4869
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00; A61B 5/22 20060101 A61B005/22; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; G06Q 50/22 20060101 G06Q050/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 3, 2014 |
JP |
2014-244724 |
Claims
1. An advice generation system which generates advice for achieving
a goal, the system including: a measuring unit which measures an
activity status of a subject and outputs activity data based on the
activity status; an achievement state acquisition unit which
acquires achievement state information that is information of an
achievement state with respect to a goal of the subject; an amount
of action calculation unit which calculates amount of action
information that is a cumulative amount of action taken by the
subject based on the activity data acquired by the measuring unit;
a motivation determination unit which determines motivation of the
subject to achieve the goal based on the achievement state
information and the amount of action information; and an advice
generation unit which generates advice for the subject based on a
result of the determination on the motivation.
2. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines the motivation based on a
trend of change in the achievement state information and a trend of
change in the amount of action information.
3. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
achievement state information and the amount of action information
are acquired every predetermined period.
4. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines levels of achievability of
the subject and urgency of the subject.
5. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that it is a first level
of the achievability if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is an ascending trend and the trend of change in the
achievement state information is a trend of change that is
approaching a goal achievement state.
6. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that the achievability is
a second level of achievability that is lower than the first level
of achievability, if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is an ascending trend and the trend of change in the
achievement state information is within a predetermined range of
trend of change.
7. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that the achievability is
a third level of achievability that is lower than the second level
of achievability, if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is an ascending trend and the trend of change in the
achievement state information is a trend of change that is far from
a goal achievement state.
8. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that it is a first level
of urgency if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is an ascending trend.
9. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that the urgency is a
second level of urgency that is lower than the first level of
urgency, if the trend of change in the amount of action information
is within a predetermined range of trend of change and the trend of
change in the achievement state information is a trend of change
that is far from a goal achievement state.
10. The advice generation system according to claim 4, wherein the
motivation determination unit determines that the urgency is a
third level of urgency that is lower than the second level of
urgency, if the trend of change in the amount of action information
is within a predetermined range of trend of change and the trend of
change in the achievement state information is a trend of change
that is approaching a goal achievement state.
11. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
activity status includes a pulse rate of the subject and
acceleration information based on a body movement of the subject,
and the activity data includes at least one of pulse data
calculated based on the pulse rate and acceleration data calculated
based on the acceleration information.
12. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
amount of action calculation unit calculates exercise intensity
using at least one of the pulse data and the acceleration data of
the subject, and calculates the amount of action based on the
exercise intensity and a duration of the exercise intensity.
13. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein the
amount of action calculation unit calculates calories burned, using
at least one of the pulse data and the acceleration data of the
subject, and calculates the amount of action based on the calories
burned that are accumulated.
14. The advice generation system according to claim 1, wherein The
achievement state information includes at least one of weight of
the subject, a time taken for the subject to run a predetermined
distance, a distance which the subject can run, and a physical
strength indicator of the subject.
15. The advice generation system according to claim 14, wherein the
physical strength indicator is a maximum oxygen uptake of the
subject.
16. The advice generation system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a storage unit which acquires at least a goal, a period
until the goal is achieved, and the activity data, of a plurality
of subjects, and stores the achievement state information and the
amount of action information acquired or calculated for each of the
subjects; and a grouping unit which groups the plurality of
subjects based on the achievement state information and the amount
of action information of the plurality of subjects stored in the
storage unit, wherein the advice generation unit generates advice
for the subject, referring to the achievement state information and
the amount of action information of the subject and another subject
in the same group as the subject.
17. The advice generation system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a predetermined period change unit which changes an
interval of the predetermined period based on a result of the
determination on the motivation.
18. The advice generation system according to claim 17, wherein the
predetermined period change unit changes the interval of the
predetermined period to be longer if it is determined that the
motivation is the first level of achievability.
19. The advice generation system according to claim 17, wherein The
predetermined period change unit changes the interval of the
predetermined period to be shorter if it is determined that the
motivation is the second level of achievability or the third level
of achievability.
20. An advice generation method for generating advice to achieve a
goal, the method comprising: measuring an activity status of a
subject and outputting activity data based on the activity status;
acquiring achievement state information that is information of an
achievement state with respect to a goal of the subject;
calculating amount of action information that is a cumulative
amount of action taken by the subject based on the activity data
acquired by the measuring; determining motivation of the subject to
achieve the goal based on the achievement state information and the
amount of action information; and generating advice for the subject
based on a result of the determination on the motivation.
21. An advice generation device for generating advice to achieve a
goal, the device comprising: a measuring unit which measures an
activity status of a subject and outputs activity data based on the
activity status; an achievement state acquisition unit which
acquires achievement state information that is information of an
achievement state with respect to a goal of the subject; an amount
of action calculation unit which calculates amount of action
information that is a cumulative amount of action taken by the
subject based on the activity data acquired by the measuring unit;
a motivation determination unit which determines motivation of the
subject to achieve the goal based on the achievement state
information and the amount of action information; and an advice
generation unit which generates advice for the subject based on a
result of the determination on the motivation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2014-244724 filed Dec. 3, 2014, the entirety of
which is herein incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an advice generation
system, an advice generation method, and an advice generation
device involved in exercise coaching and health coaching.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Traditionally, a system for providing advice to a subject
who is a person to be coached, in order to achieve a goal set in
health coaching or exercise coaching, is known. PTL 1 discloses a
device which provides information to give a motivation to continue
training such as walking or jogging.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] PTL 1: JP-A-2009-213654
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] However, the device disclosed in PTL 1 is far from providing
information which enables or motivates the subject to maintain a
highly motivated state. Specifically, the device according to PTL 1
provides information to encourage the subject in the case where the
amount of training of the subject is less than the planned amount
of training. The information provided based on such a comparison of
the statuses of the amounts of training can lower the motivation of
the subject. For example, if the goal is too high for the athletic
ability of the subject, the subject needs training over a long
period. During that period, advice to encourage the subject is
provided. Even if the subject continues training, with the advice
provided repeatedly, the subject becomes unsure about whether
he/she can achieve the goal, and therefore the level of motivation
drops.
[0006] One of the theoretical models developed from the expectancy
theory (1964) of Victor Vroom, who proposed a mechanism of
motivation, is a theoretical model that motivation involves the
three elements of attraction, achievability, and urgency of the
goal, and that the level of motivation corresponds to the
multiplication of these elements (see "Business Leaders' Training
Material", Motivation Mechanism,
http://blog.nikkeibp.co.jp/nb/academic/university/pdf/soukadaigaku_inuzuk-
akenkyu6.pdf). According to this theoretical model, in order to
maintain the high level of motivation held at the time of setting a
goal, psychological states of achievability and urgency, which can
easily change after the start of training, are important elements.
In the above example, the level of motivation drops because the
element of achievability decreases, from among the subject's
feelings.
[0007] In this way, with the information provided simply based on
the comparison between the states of the amounts of training, the
level of motivation of the subject may drop and therefore advice
corresponding to the conditions of motivation of the subject needs
to be provided.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In order to solve at least a part of the foregoing problem,
the invention can be implemented in the following forms or
application examples.
Application Example 1
[0009] An advice generation system according to this application
example is an advice generation system which generates advice for
achieving a goal. The system includes: a measuring unit which
measures an activity status of a subject and outputs activity data
based on the activity status; an achievement state acquisition unit
which acquires achievement state information that is information of
an achievement state with respect to a goal of the subject; an
amount of action calculation unit which calculates amount of action
information that is a cumulative amount of action taken by the
subject based on the activity data acquired by the measuring unit;
a motivation determination unit which determines motivation of the
subject to achieve the goal based on the achievement state
information and the amount of action information; and an advice
generation unit which generates advice for the subject based on a
result of the determination on the motivation.
[0010] According to this application example, the motivation of the
subject is determined based on the achievement state information
and the amount of action information of the subject acting to
achieve the goal. Advice is generated based on the result of the
determination on the motivation. Advice reflecting the state of
motivation of the subject can be generated.
[0011] Therefore, advice corresponding to the conditions of
motivation of the subject can be provided to the subject.
Application Example 2
[0012] The motivation determination unit may determine the
motivation based on a trend of change in the achievement
information and a trend of change in the amount of action
information.
[0013] According to this application example, the motivation of the
subject acting to achieve the goal can be accurately
determined.
Application Example 3
[0014] The achievement state information and the amount of action
information may be acquired every predetermined period.
[0015] According to this application example, the information of
the achievement state and the amount of action of the subject can
be acquired as needed.
Application Example 4
[0016] The motivation determination unit may determine levels of
achievability of the subject and urgency of the subject.
[0017] According to this application example, the state of
motivation of the subject can be determined by determining the
achievability and the level of urgency of the subject.
Application Example 5
[0018] The motivation determination unit may determine that it is a
first level of the achievability if the trend of change in the
amount of action information is an ascending trend and the trend of
change in the achievement state information is a trend of change
that is approaching a goal achievement state.
[0019] According to this application example, levels of
achievability corresponding to various states can be determined by
referring to the first level of achievability, which is the state
where the amount of action information of the subject increases and
the achievement state information is approaching the goal
achievement.
Application Example 6
[0020] The motivation determination unit may determine that the
achievability is a second level of achievability that is lower than
the first level of achievability, if the trend of change in the
amount of action information is an ascending trend and the trend of
change in the achievement state information is within a
predetermined range of trend of change.
[0021] According to this application example, achievability that is
lower than the first level of achievability can be determined.
Application Example 7
[0022] The motivation determination unit may determine that the
achievability is a third level of achievability that is lower than
the second level of achievability, if the trend of change in the
amount of action information is an ascending trend and the trend of
change in the achievement state information is a trend of change
that is far from a goal achievement state.
[0023] According to this application example, achievability that is
lower than the second level of achievability can be determined.
Application Example 8
[0024] The motivation determination unit may determine that it is a
first level of urgency if the trend of change in the amount of
action information is an ascending trend.
[0025] According to this application example, levels of urgency
corresponding to various states can be determined by referring to
the first level of urgency, which is the state where the amount of
action information of the subject increases.
Application Example 9
[0026] The motivation determination unit may determine that the
urgency is a second level of urgency that is lower than the first
level of urgency, if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is within a predetermined range of trend of change and
the trend of change in the achievement state information is a trend
of change that is far from a goal achievement state.
[0027] According to this application example, urgency that is lower
than the first level of urgency can be determined.
Application Example 10
[0028] The motivation determination unit may determine that the
urgency is a third level of urgency that is lower than the second
level of urgency, if the trend of change in the amount of action
information is within a predetermined range of trend of change and
the trend of change in the achievement state information is a trend
of change that is approaching a goal achievement state.
[0029] According to this application example, urgency that is lower
than the second level of urgency can be determined.
Application Example 11
[0030] The activity status of the subject may include a pulse rate
of the subject and acceleration information based on a body
movement of the subject, and the activity data may include at least
one of pulse data calculated based on the pulse rate and
acceleration data calculated based on the acceleration
information.
[0031] According to this application example, the action of the
subject can be accurately grasped based on the pulse rate and the
acceleration information of the subject.
Application Example 12
[0032] The amount of action calculation unit may calculate exercise
intensity using at least one of the pulse data and the acceleration
data of the subject, and calculate the amount of action based on
the exercise intensity and a duration of the exercise
intensity.
[0033] According to this application example, the amount of action
can be accurately calculated with respect to various actions with
different exercise intensities.
Application Example 13
[0034] The amount of action calculation unit may calculate calories
burned, using at least one of the pulse data and the acceleration
data of the subject, and calculate the amount of action based on
the calories burned that are accumulated.
[0035] According to this application example, amounts of action
corresponding to various actions can be accurately calculated by
calculating and accumulating the calories burned generated by the
action of the subject.
Application Example 14
[0036] The achievement state information may include at least one
of weight of the subject, a time taken for the subject to run a
predetermined distance, a distance which the subject can run, and a
physical strength indicator of the subject.
[0037] According to this application example, the state until the
goal of the subject is achieved can be acquired based on the
achievement state information and used for the determination of
motivation.
Application Example 15
[0038] The physical strength indicator may be a maximum oxygen
uptake of the subject.
[0039] According to this application example, the system is
effective in the case where the objective of the subject is an
action relating to improvement in cardiopulmonary function.
Application Example 16
[0040] The advice generation system may further include: a storage
unit which acquires at least a goal, a period until the goal is
achieved, and the activity data, of a plurality of subjects, and
stores the achievement state information and the amount of action
information acquired or calculated for each of the subjects; and a
grouping unit which groups the plurality of subjects based on the
achievement state information and the amount of action information
of the plurality of subjects stored in the storage unit. The advice
generation unit may generate advice for the subject, referring to
the achievement state information and the amount of action
information of the subject and another subject in the same group as
the subject.
[0041] According to this application example, advice to maintain
the motivation of the subject at a higher level can be generated by
referring to the information of another subject in the same
group.
Application Example 17
[0042] The advice generation system may further include a
predetermined period change unit which changes an interval of the
predetermined period based on a result of the determination of
motivation.
[0043] According to this application example, a drop in the
motivation of the subject can be restrained by changing the
interval of the predetermined period.
Application Example 18
[0044] The predetermined period change unit may change the interval
of the predetermined period to be longer if it is determined that
the motivation is the first level of achievability.
[0045] According to this application example, in the case where the
interval of the predetermined period is changed to be shorter, the
interval of the predetermined period can be returned to the
original interval if the state of achievability becomes higher.
Application Example 19
[0046] The predetermined period change unit may change the interval
of the predetermined period to be shorter if it is determined that
the motivation is the second level of achievability or the third
level of achievability.
[0047] According to this application example, a reduction in the
state of achievability of the subject can be restrained and
improved by shortening the interval of the predetermined
period.
Application Example 20
[0048] An advice generation method for generating advice to achieve
a goal includes: measuring an activity status of a subject and
outputting activity data based on the activity status; acquiring
achievement state information that is information of an achievement
state with respect to a goal of the subject; calculating amount of
action information that is a cumulative amount of action taken by
the subject based on the activity data acquired by the measuring;
determining motivation of the subject to achieve the goal based on
the achievement state information and the amount of action
information; and generating advice for the subject based on a
result of the determination on the motivation.
[0049] According to this application example, the motivation of the
subject is determined based on the achievement state information
and the amount of action information of the subject acting to
achieve the goal. Advice is generated based on the result of the
determination on the motivation. Advice reflecting the state of
motivation of the subject can be generated. Therefore, advice
corresponding to the conditions of motivation of the subject can be
provided to the subject.
Application Example 21
[0050] An advice generation device for generating advice to achieve
a goal includes: a measuring unit which measures an activity status
of a subject and outputs activity data based on the activity
status; an achievement state acquisition unit which acquires
achievement state information that is information of an achievement
state with respect to a goal of the subject; an amount of action
calculation unit which calculates amount of action information that
is a cumulative amount of action taken by the subject based on the
activity data acquired by the measuring unit; a motivation
determination unit which determines motivation of the subject to
achieve the goal based on the achievement state information and the
amount of action information; and an advice generation unit which
generates advice for the subject based on a result of the
determination on the motivation.
[0051] According to this application example, the motivation of the
subject is determined based on the achievement state information
and the amount of action information of the subject acting to
achieve the goal. Advice is generated based on the result of the
determination on the motivation. Advice reflecting the state of
motivation of the subject can be generated. Therefore, advice
corresponding to the conditions of motivation of the subject can be
provided to the subject.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a view explaining the result of determination on
achievability.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a view explaining the result of determination on
urgency.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the result of
determination by a motivation determination method.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of an advice generation system.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of advice generation
processing.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of motivation
determination processing.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of achievability
determination processing.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of urgency
determination processing.
[0060] FIG. 9 is a display example of advice corresponding to the
state of achievability.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a display example of advice corresponding to the
state of urgency.
[0062] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of an advice generation system according to Embodiment 2.
[0063] FIG. 12 is a view explaining an example of a grouping
table.
[0064] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of advice generation
processing with reference to groups.
[0065] FIG. 14 is a display example of advice with reference to
groups.
[0066] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of an advice generation system according to Embodiment 3.
[0067] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of milestone update
processing.
[0068] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of milestone update
processing.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0069] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described.
The embodiments described below should not unduly limit the
contents of the invention described in the claims. Also, not all
the configurations described in the embodiments are essential
components.
Embodiment 1
(Principle)
[0070] An advice generation system according to this embodiment
provides advice to maintain a high level of motivation, to a
subject acting to achieve a goal for the purpose of health
improvement and enhancement of athletic ability. Motivation
expresses the psychological state to continue an action toward the
achievement of the goal during the time until the achievement of
the goal from the point when the subject starts the action to
achieve the goal. If the motivation of the subject is high, the
action is continued smoothly until the achievement of the goal. If
the motivation is low, the situation where the action can be
interrupted may occur. The advice generation system generates and
provides advice corresponding to the state of the motivation of the
subject, at a proper timing and with a proper content, so as to
guide the subject toward the prevention of a drop in the motivation
of the subject and improvement of the motivation if the motivation
of the subject drops, and to maintain the state of high motivation
if the motivation of the subject is high.
[0071] The motivation is expressed by the following equation (1) in
the theoretical model developed from the expectancy theory.
Motivation=attraction of goal.times.achievability.times.urgency
(1)
[0072] The motivation is the multiplication of the three elements
expressing psychological states of the subject, that is, the
attraction of the goal, its achievability, and its urgency.
[0073] The attraction of the goal represents a psychological state
indicating whether it is a goal which the subject him/herself wants
to achieve. If the goal is attractive to the subject, the feeling
of wanting to do it is cultivated and the motivation becomes
higher. On the contrary, if the subject no longer finds the goal
attractive, the motivation drops.
[0074] The achievability is a psychological state indicating
whether subject is likely to be able to achieve the goal. If the
subject is likely to be able to achieve the goal, the feeling that
the goal is almost within reach is cultivated and the motivation
becomes higher. On the contrary, if the subject finds it hard to
achieve the goal, the motivation drops.
[0075] The urgency is a psychological state indicating the level of
anxiety and tension in the case where the subject cannot achieve
the goal. If the disadvantage in the case where the subject cannot
achieve the goal is great, the feeling of having to do it is
cultivated and the motivation becomes higher. On the contrary, if
the disadvantage is small, the motivation drops.
[0076] Since the motivation is the multiplication of the above
three elements, the motivation is increased by maintaining the
psychological state of each element at a high level, and if the
psychological state of one of the elements is low, the motivation
drops and the subject finds it difficult to continue the action to
achieve the goal.
[0077] Since such three elements are the subjective psychological
states of the subject, information thereof can be gathered directly
from the subject and quantified by questions and answers or by
questionnaires. However, there are cases where accurate information
cannot be obtained from questions and answers or from responses to
questionnaires, due to various factors particular to the subject.
Particularly, at the point when the subjects starts an action to
achieve the goal, the subject is in a calm state and responses to a
relatively accurate psychological state can be obtained, whereas
after the lapse of some time, emotions and the like such as
emotional attachment to the action status and achievement status up
to that point are taken into consideration, making it difficult to
obtain responses to an accurate psychological state of the subject.
For example, in the response about the achievability of whether
"the subject can achieve the goal", if the subject has a very
strong will to achieve the goal even if the user is already taking
a course of events that the subject cannot achieve the goal, it is
conceivable that the subject gives a response that "he/she can
achieve the goal". Also, in the response about the urgency, it is
conceivable that the subject pretends to have a sense of urgency in
order to show that he/she is willing to do it, and therefore ends
up giving a response that "it is very urgent".
[0078] Of the three elements, the element of attraction of the goal
is an element reflecting emotions, attachment, willingness and the
like of the subject and therefore may be quantified in the form of
questions and answers or responses to questionnaires.
[0079] In this embodiment, the explanation of the element of
attraction of the goal is omitted hereinafter. It is assumed that
the element of attraction of the goal is constantly in the state of
being maintained at a high level by direct coaching by an
instructor based on the questions and answers or
questionnaires.
[0080] In the motivation determination method in the embodiment,
the psychological states based on the elements of achievability and
urgency of the subject acting to achieve the goal are quantified
based on the goal achievement state and the information of the
amount of action of the subject, so as not to include the influence
of emotions, attachment and the like of the subject.
(Principle of Motivation Determination Method)
[0081] In the motivation determination method, the psychological
states based on the elements of achievability and urgency are
quantified, utilizing the achievement state information and the
amount of action information of the subject.
[0082] The achievement state information is information obtained by
measuring the achievement state shifting until the subject achieves
the goal. For example, if the goal of the subject is weight loss of
5 kg, the weight lost by the subject that is measured is the
achievement state information.
[0083] The amount of action information is information of the
amount of action taken by the subject until the achievement of the
goal. For example, if the subject has a goal of 5 kg weight loss
and carries out cardio exercise corresponding to 300 kcal every
day, calories burned found by multiplying 300 kcal by the number of
days elapsed is the amount of action information.
[0084] In the advice generation system, a measuring device which
measures the activity status of the subject is included and the
amount of action information is calculated from the measured
activity status. Details of the measuring device will be described
later.
[0085] In the motivation determination method, trends of change in
the achievement state information and the amount of action
information are calculated.
[0086] The trend of change in the achievement state information is
a positive (+) trend (hereinafter referred to as a + trend) if the
measured value of the achievement state is approaching a goal as a
final goal during a predetermined period (for example, one month),
from the start of the period to the end of the period, and a
negative (-) trend (hereinafter referred to as a - trend) if the
measured value is getting far from the goal. If no change is
observed, that is, if the measured value is neither approaching the
goal nor getting far from the goal, there is no change and the
trend is defined as a (0) trend (hereinafter referred to as 0
trend.
[0087] The trend of change in the amount of action information is a
+ trend if the cumulative amount of action is increasing during a
predetermined period, from the start of the period to the end of
the period, and a 0 trend if no change is observed in the
cumulative amount of action. If the trend of change in the amount
of action is a 0 trend, it means that the subject has not taken any
action toward the achievement of the goal.
[0088] In the determination on the 0 trend with respect to the
trend of change in the achievement state information and the trend
of change in the amount of action information, the trend may be
determined as the 0 trend if it is within a predetermined range of
trend of change. In that case, it is a + trend if the value is
increasing beyond the predetermined range of trend of change, and a
- trend if the value is getting far from the goal beyond the
predetermined range of trend of change.
[0089] FIG. 1 is a view explaining the result of determination on
the achievability. FIG. 2 is a view explaining the result of
determination on the urgency.
[0090] FIG. 1(a) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the achievability is "high". If both the
achievement state and the amount of action are in the + trend, it
means that the achievability is high. Since the effect that the
achievement state is approaching the goal is observed as the result
of a sufficient action (exercise) carried out by the subject, the
subject is in a psychological state that the he/she can achieve
(likely to achieve) the goal and the achievability of the subject
is high.
[0091] The achievability on which the result of determination is
"high" corresponds to the first level of achievability.
[0092] FIG. 1(b) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the achievability is "middle". If the
achievement state is in the 0 trend and the amount of action is in
the + trend, it means that the achievability is at a middle level.
Since no change is observed in the achievement state despite the
sufficient action taken by the subject, the subject is in the state
of waiting for the trend of change in the achievement state in the
future, while continuing the action. In this case, the
achievability of the subject is lower than the result of
determination of "high".
[0093] The achievability on which the result of determination is
"middle" corresponds to the second level of achievability.
[0094] FIG. 1(c) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the achievability is "low". If the
achievement state is in the - trend and the amount of action is in
the + trend, it means that the achievability is low. Despite the
sufficient action taken by the subject, it is counterproductive
since the achievement state is getting far from the goal. In such a
state, the subject falls in a psychological state that he/she
cannot achieve the goal even if he/she continues the action that is
now underway, and therefore the achievability of the subject is
significantly low. In this case, the achievability of the subject
is lower than the result of determination of "middle".
[0095] The achievability on which the result of determination is
"low" corresponds to the third level of achievability.
[0096] FIG. 2(a) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the urgency is "high". If the
achievement state is in an arbitrary trend and the amount of action
is in the + trend, it means that the urgency is high. The subject
is in the state of continuing the action toward the achievement of
the goal no matter what the achievement state is, and therefore the
urgency of the subject is high.
[0097] The urgency on which the result of determination is "high"
corresponds to the first level of urgency.
[0098] FIG. 2(b) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the urgency is "middle". If the
achievement state is in the - trend and no change is observed in
the amount of action, it means that the urgency is at a middle
level. Since the subject is not acting toward the achievement of
the goal even though the achievement state is far from the goal,
the subject lacks psychological states such as anxiety and tension
in the case of being unable to achieve the goal and therefore the
urgency of the subject is lower than the result of determination of
"high".
[0099] The urgency on which the result determination is "middle"
corresponds to the second level of urgency.
[0100] FIG. 2(c) is a view explaining conditions under which the
result of determination on the urgency is "low". If the achievement
state is in the + trend and no change is observed in the amount of
action, it means that the urgency is low. Since the subject is
approaching the state of achieving the goal even though the subject
is not executing any action toward the achievement of the goal, the
subject is less likely to fall in psychological states such as
anxiety and tension in the case of being unable to achieve the
goal. Since the urgency is lacking because the subject is
approaching the achievement of the goal even without taking action
toward the achievement of the goal, the urgency of the subject is
lower than the result of determination of "middle".
[0101] The urgency on which the result of determination is "low"
corresponds to the third level of urgency.
[0102] FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the result of
determination by the motivation determination method. FIG. 3
explains the status of the results of determination on the
achievability and urgency determined by the advice generation
system in a process in which a subject setting a goal of X (kg)
body weight loss achieves the goal.
[0103] The advice generation system acquires, from the subject,
information such as the state of the subject at the time of setting
the goal and at the time of achieving the goal, the period until
the achievement of the goal, the content of the action to achieve
the goal, the amount of action taken until the achievement of the
goal, and the regular check period.
[0104] In this example, the time of setting the goal is April 1.
The state of the subject at the time of setting the goal is the
body weight of the subject on April 1. The state at the time of
achieving the goal is X (kg) weight loss. The period until the
achievement of the goal is six months from April 1 to September 30.
Also, the content of the action to achieve the goal is cardio
exercise. The indicator of the amount of action is calories burned
at the time of the cardio exercise. The regular check period is one
month and the achievability and urgency, which are elements of
motivation, are determined at the end of each month. The amount of
action until the achievement of the goal is calories burned found
by multiplying 7000 kcal by X (kg) in the case of the condition
that 7000 kcal need to be burned to achieve weight loss of 1 kg,
for example. The cardio exercise may be jogging, walking or the
like. A measuring device 10 (FIG. 4), described later, is mounted
on the subject, and calories burned are calculated by the measuring
device 10.
[0105] In the row of "weight loss" shown on an upper stage in the
FIG. 3, a graph of weight loss data is shown. The graph of weight
loss data is a graph on which the weight lost is plotted in time
series. The weight loss progresses from the beginning of April to
the beginning of May and then stagnates in May. In June, the weight
loss regresses (the weight is gained). Subsequently, the weight
loss stagnates in July and then progresses from the beginning of
August to the end of September, achieving the goal of X (kg) weight
loss.
[0106] In the row of "trend of change in achievement state", the
trend of change in the achievement state for each month is
indicated in the form of "+", "-", or "0". These represent the +
trend, - trend, and 0 trend in this order. In the trend of change
in the achievement state of FIG. 3, since the weight loss
progresses from the beginning to the end of April, it is the +
trend. In May, the difference between the beginning and end of May
is small and therefore it is the 0 trend. In June, the weight loss
regresses from the beginning to the end of June and therefore it is
the - trend. Similarly, it is the 0 trend in July and the + trend
in August and September.
[0107] In the row of "calories burned", a graph of cumulative
calories burned is shown. The graph of cumulative calories burned
is a graph on which the cumulative amount of calories burned that
is calculated is plotted in time series. The calories burned are
accumulated from the beginning of April to the end of June. The
calories burned stagnate in July and August. The calories burned
are accumulated and increased in September.
[0108] In the row of "trend of change in amount of action" the
trend of change in the amount of action for each month is indicated
in the form of "+", "-", or "0". These represent the + trend, -
trend, and 0 trend in this order. Specifically, in April, May, and
June, the cumulative calories burned increase from the beginning to
the end of the month and therefore it is the + trend. In July and
August, the amount of increase in the calories burned is small from
the beginning to the end of the month and therefore it is the 0
trend. In September, the cumulative calories burned increase from
the beginning to the end and therefore it is the + trend.
[0109] In the rows of "achievability" and "urgency" at the bottom
in FIG. 3, the results of determination of the "achievability and
"urgency" are shown. From the combination pattern of the trend of
change in the achievement state and the trend of change in the
amount of action shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the results of
determination on the achievability and urgency are calculated for
each month. The result of determination on the achievability is
indicated by a slant line for July and August. Since no pattern is
defined as a determination pattern for determining the
achievability in the case where the trend of change in the amount
of action is the 0 trend, a slant line is placed, indicating that
the determination is unavailable.
[0110] In this way, in the motivation determination method, the
psychological states of achievability and urgency are calculated
based on the result of measuring the state of the subject. Thus,
quantification is realized without being based on emotions and
thoughts of the subject.
[0111] The results of determination on the achievability and
urgency are expressed in stages such as "high", "middle", and
"low". However, these stages may be expressed in a numerical form.
For example, using the numerical values of 10 to 0, numerical
expressions may be given, such as 10 for "high", 5 for "middle",
and 1 for "low". Also, while the trend of change in the achievement
state and the trend of change in the amount of action are explained
in the form of the + trend, - trend, or 0 trend, each trend may be
further divided into multiple stages. For example, multiple stages
may be set from the case where the achievement state is
significantly high (the gradient of the + trend is large) to the
case where the achievement state is close to stagnation, depending
on the degree of gradient of the trend of change in the achievement
state. As the trend of change in the achievement state and the
trend of change in the amount of action include multiple stages in
this way, results of determination in multiple stages are
calculated with respect to the achievability and urgency determined
based on the combination thereof.
[0112] The advice generation system can generate advice for the
subject in order to maintain motivation at a high level for each
type of the results of determination on the achievability and
urgency calculated by the motivation determination method.
[0113] Hereinafter, the configuration of such an advice generation
system will be described.
(Advice Generation System)
(Configuration of Advice Generation System)
[0114] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of an advice generation system 1.
[0115] The advice generation system 1 is made of a measuring device
10 and a PC 30 or the like.
[0116] The measuring device 10 is a small portable device mounted
on the wrist or the like of the subject and measures the activity
status by detecting the pulse rate, body movement and the like of
the subject during an activity. The activity status measured by the
measuring device 10 is transmitted as activity data to the PC 30
via wireless communication 9 such as short-range wireless. The PC
30 is a common personal computer, smartphone or the like, where
software which psychologically supports the subject acting to
achieve a goal that is set for the purpose of health improvement or
enhancement of athletic ability is executed. As the software is
executed, the PC 30 analyzes the state of the motivation of the
subject with the use of the received activity data and generates
advice to maintain or improve the motivation.
(Configuration of Measuring Device 10)
[0117] The measuring device 10 is made up of a measuring unit 11, a
display unit 17, an operation unit 19, a clocking unit 21, a
communication unit 23, a storage unit 25, and a control unit 27 or
the like.
[0118] The measuring unit 11 has the function of detecting the
pulse rate of the subject and acceleration information or the like
based on body movements of the subject, and outputting such
information as activity data, and is made up of a pulse sensor 13
and a body movement sensor 15 or the like. The measuring unit 11
corresponds to the measuring unit.
[0119] The pulse sensor 13 is a sensor unit which detects pulse
waves of the subject and measures the pulse rate, and is provided
on the wrist-side surface of the measuring device 10 mounted on the
wrist of the subject. The pulse sensor 13 is made up of a
photoelectric sensor including a light emitting element and a light
receiving element. Light is cast toward a living body from the
light emitting element, and reflected light reflected by a blood
vessel is received by the light receiving element. The pulse sensor
13 detects pulse waves of the subject, using a phenomenon that the
light reflectance differs between the time of expansion of the
blood vessel and the time of contraction. The pulse sensor 13
performs frequency resolution processing on data of the detected
pulse waves, analyzes the signal intensity value of each frequency,
and extracts a frequency spectrum corresponding to the pulse waves.
Then, the pulse sensor 13 calculates the pulse rate per minute from
the frequency of the frequency spectrum of the pulse waves and
outputs the pulse rate as pulse data. The pulse sensor 13 is not
limited to the photoelectric sensor. An ultrasonic sensor which
detects the contraction of the blood vessel via ultrasonic waves
and thus measures the pulse rate may be employed, and a sensor
which causes a weak current to flow through the body from an
electrode and thus measures the pulse rate, or the like, may be
employed.
[0120] The body movement sensor 15 is a sensor unit including an
acceleration sensor, as a preferable example, and measures changes
in acceleration in one axial direction or at least two axial
directions intersecting with each other. The body movement sensor
15 calculates various kinds of information related to the body
movement of the subject, using data of the changes in acceleration,
and outputs the information as activity data. Specifically, the
body movement sensor 15 adds up the measured amount of change in
acceleration and measures the magnitude of the body movement of the
subject. Also, the body movement sensor 15 performs integration
processing on the amount of change in acceleration and thereby
performs frequency resolution processing on the amount of movement
of the subject, thus measuring the pitch or the number of steps
taken by the subject when walking, running or the like. Also, the
body movement sensor 15 may include a gyro sensor, GPS (global
positioning system) sensor or the like, and may be configured to be
able to discriminate and measure more diverse body movements of the
subject. The signal from the acceleration sensor can also be used
in processing to restrain a body movement noise superimposed on a
pulse wave signal when detecting the above pulse rate.
[0121] The measuring unit 11 is not limited to the configuration
including the pulse sensor 13 and the body movement sensor 15, as a
sensor unit, and may have a configuration including an environment
sensor such as a temperature sensor or pressure sensor. With the
environment sensor, external environment information (external
temperature, position and the like) of the subject wearing the
measuring device 10 can be taken in.
[0122] The display unit 17 is a display device which is configured
with a display panel such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) and a
light emitting element such as an LED (light emitting diode) and
which carries out various displays based on display signals
inputted from the control unit 27. On the display panel, various
kinds of information calculated by the control unit 27 are
displayed based on the data detected by the measuring unit 11 such
as pulse rate, the number of steps taken, exercise intensity, and
calories burned of the subject. The display panel may be configured
to display a character string of advice for the subject received
from the PC 30. For the light emitting element, a plurality of LEDs
emitting light in a plurality of colors is used. Information to be
reported to the subject is issued by a method corresponding to a
light emitting pattern defined for each content. The information to
be reported to the subject may include the content of advice for
the subject received from the PC 30.
[0123] The operation unit 19 is an input device configured with a
button switch or the like and outputs a signal of a button that is
pressed, to the control unit 27. By this operation of the operation
unit 19, various instructions such as an instruction to measure the
pulse rate are inputted. The configuration of the operation unit 19
is not limited to this. Any configuration that enables a plurality
of operations to be inputted may be employed, and a touch panel
function may be provided for the display panel of the display unit
17.
[0124] The clocking unit 21 is configured with a crystal oscillator
unit or the like made up of a crystal oscillator and an oscillator
circuit, and has a clock function and a stopwatch function of the
measuring device 10, and a clocking function such as generation of
a sampling time used for the detection by the pulse sensor 13 and
the body movement sensor 15. The clocked time of the clocking unit
21 is outputted to the control unit 27 as needed.
[0125] The communication unit 23 is a communication device for
transmitting and receiving information used inside the device, to
and from an information processing device outside the PC 30, under
the control of the control unit 27. As a communication method of
this communication unit 23, a wireless connection form utilizing
the wireless communication 9, which is short-range wireless
communication conforming to a predetermined communication standard,
may be used, and activity data can be transmitted to the PC 30 even
while the subject is doing an activity such as exercise. The
communication unit 23 is not limited to short-range wireless
communication and may be configured to be able to transmit and
receive various data and information via wired communication.
[0126] The storage unit 25 is made up of a storage device such as a
ROM (read only memory), flash ROM, or RAM (random aces memory), and
stores the control program of the measuring device 10, various
programs, data and the like to realize various functions such as
the function of measuring pulse rates, exercise intensity, and
calories burned. Also, the storage unit 25 has a work area for
temporarily storing currently processed data in various kinds of
processing and results of processing or the like.
[0127] The control unit 27 is a control device and computing device
which comprehensively controls each part of the measuring device 10
according to various programs such as the control program stored in
the storage unit 25, and is configured with a processor such as a
CPU (central processing unit) or DSP (digital signal
processor).
(Configuration of PC 30)
[0128] The PC 30 is made up of a display unit 31, an operation unit
33, a clocking unit 35, a communication unit 37, a storage unit 40,
and a control unit 60 or the like.
[0129] For the display unit 31, a liquid crystal panel is employed
as a preferable example. Advice or the like for the subject
generated by the control unit 60 is displayed. A touch panel may be
provided on the display surface. The operation unit 33 is an input
device such as a keyboard or mouse. The clocking unit 35 is a
real-time clock and has clocking functions such as calendar
function, clock function, and stopwatch function, for example. The
communication unit 37 is a network adapter and transmits and
receives activity data and advice data to and from the measuring
device 10 via the wireless communication 9 or wired
communication.
[0130] The storage unit 40 is a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid
state drive (SSD) or the like and is managed by a file system. In
the storage unit 40, a control program (not illustrated) executed
by the control unit 60 and variables, data and the like used in the
control program are stored. Also, in the storage unit 40, a
motivation determination table 41, an advice correspondence table
43, advice wording data 45, and personal data 50 or the like are
stored.
[0131] The motivation determination table 41 is a table in which
the corresponding relations between trends of change in the
achievement state information and the amount of action information
of the subject, and the corresponding states of motivation are
defined. Specifically, the motivation determination table 41 is a
table loaded in such a way that the corresponding relations shown
in the view explaining the result of determination on achievability
(FIG. 1) and the view explaining the result of determination on
urgency (FIG. 2) can be referred to by a motivation determination
unit 77 (described later). The level of achievability and urgency
is defined by "high", "middle", or "low", for each combination of
trends of changes in the achievement state and the amount of
action.
[0132] The advice correspondence table 43 is a table in which
advice corresponding to each level of achievement and urgency is
defined. Reference targets in the advice wording data 45 that match
the respective levels of achievability "high", "middle", and "low"
and the levels of urgency "high", "middle", and "low" defined in
the motivation determination table 41 are stored.
[0133] The advice wording data 45 is character string data in which
advice character strings are stored. In the character string data,
character strings of various expressions are prepared and referred
to from the advice correspondence table 43. The advice display
examples shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are examples in which advice
wording is read out from the advice wording data 45 and displayed
on the display unit 31.
[0134] The personal data 50 is data including personal information
about the subject and is made up of goal information data 51,
achievement state data 53, activity data 55 and the like.
[0135] The goal information data 51 is data generated from
information acquired from the subject at the time of setting the
goal. At least data indicating the state of the subject at the time
of setting the goal, the state at the time of achieving the goal,
the period until the achievement of the goal, the content of the
action to achieve the goal, the amount of action until the
achievement of the goal, and the regular check period are stored.
The check period corresponds to the predetermined period.
[0136] The achievement state data 53 is data indicating the
achievement data of the goal of the subject. At least the result of
the achievement state is stored for each check period. For example,
if the goal of the subject is a goal related to weight loss, the
body weight and the weight lost are stored for each check
period.
[0137] The activity data 55 is activity data of the subject
received from the measuring device 10. The activity data measured
from the start of the action is stored in time series. The activity
data 55 includes information such as pulse data, acceleration data,
data of the number of steps taken, and pitch data.
[0138] The control unit 60 is a CPU and controls each part such as
the display unit 31, the operation unit 33, the clocking unit 35,
the communication unit 37, and the storage unit 40, forming the PC
30. The control unit 60 has an advice processing unit 70 as a
functional unit. However, these functions units are simply an
example and not all the functional units need to be essential
components. Also, functional units other than these may be
essential components.
[0139] The advice processing unit 70 is a functional unit which
generates advice for the subject and is configured with functional
units such as an achievement state acquisition unit 71, an activity
data acquisition unit 73, an amount of action calculation unit 75,
a motivation determination unit 77, and an advice generation unit
79.
[0140] The achievement state acquisition unit 71 acquires
information of the achievement state of the subject acting to
achieve the goal. Specifically, by controlling the display unit 31
and the operation unit 33, information of the achievement state
inputted by the subject is acquired at least for each check period.
For example, if the goal to achieve is weight loss of 10 kg and the
check period is every month, the subject is prompted to input the
weight lost that is measured at least every month.
[0141] Also, depending on the goal that is set, information of the
achievement state can be acquired by receiving measurement data
measured by the measuring device 10 or another external measuring
device, via the communication unit 37. For example, if the goal is
to finish a full marathon within four hours, data of the distance
traveled may be acquired from the measuring device 10 and the time
taken for running the distance of a full marathon may be used as
the information of the achievement state. Also, as another example,
measurement data measured by an external measuring device such as a
body weight scale, body fat meter, or body composition monitor,
having a communication function, may be received via the
communication unit 37 and information of the achievement state may
be acquired.
[0142] The information of the achievement state corresponds to the
achievement state information. The check period corresponds to the
predetermined period. The achievement state acquisition unit 71
corresponds to the achievement state acquisition unit.
[0143] The activity data acquisition unit 73 acquires activity data
from the measuring device 10. Specifically, by controlling the
communication unit 37, the communication with the measuring device
10 is established, and activity data measured by the measuring
device 10 is received and stored in the storage unit 40 as the
activity data 55.
[0144] The amount of action calculation unit 75 calculates the
amount of action information of the subject, using the activity
data 55. Specifically, activity data is read from the activity data
55, and the amount of action is calculated, thus calculating, for
each check period, the amount of action information accumulated
during the check period. Since the amount of action is the amount
of the action taken to reach the achievement state of the goal to
be achieved by the subject, if the goal is different, the type of
the amount of action calculated may be different.
[0145] For example, if the goal to achieve is a goal related to
weight loss, calories burned are calculated from activity data
taken during cardio exercise. The cumulative amount of calories
burned during the check period is calculated as the amount of
action information. As a method for calculating calories burned, a
known method such as a calculation method based on the correlation
between pulse rate data and calories burned during cardio exercise,
or a calculation method in which exercise intensity is calculated
from pulse rate data or acceleration data and then the calories
burned for each exercise intensity is multiplied by the time
elapsed is employed.
[0146] For example, if the goal to achieve is to reduce the target
time of a full marathon, the distance traveled is calculated. The
distance traveled may be calculated using GPS location information
and acceleration data included in the activity data 55.
[0147] The amount of action calculation unit 75 corresponds to the
amount of action calculation unit.
[0148] The motivation determination unit 77 determines the state of
achievability and the state of urgency, which form motivation.
Specifically, the trends of change at the start and end of the
check period are calculated with respect to the achievement state
and the amount of action calculated by the achievement state
acquisition unit 71 and the amount of action calculation unit 75.
From the relation between the trend of change in the achievement
state and the trend of change in the amount of action, the state of
achievability is derived in the three levels of "high", "middle",
and "low", as shown in FIG. 1, and the state of urgency shown in
FIG. 2 is derived in the three levels of "high", "middle", and
"low".
[0149] The motivation determination unit 77 corresponds to the
motivation determination unit.
[0150] The advice generation unit 79 generates advice suitable for
the states of achievability and urgency of motivation.
Specifically, referring to the advice correspondence table 43,
advice wording corresponding to the state of motivation determined
by the motivation determination unit 77 is acquired.
[0151] The advice generation unit 79 corresponds to the advice
generation unit.
(Flow of Advice Generation Method)
[0152] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of advice generation
processing. This flow is a flow of processing executed by the
control unit 60 controlling each unit including the display unit
31, the operation unit 33, the clocking unit 35, the communication
unit 37, and the storage unit 40 or the like.
[0153] This flow corresponds to the advice generation processing.
Also, before this flow is executed, the activity status of the
subject is acquired by the measuring unit 11 of the measuring
device 10 and the activity data is transmitted to the PC 30 from
the measuring device 10. The flow of these processes corresponds to
the measuring process and included in the advice generation
method.
[0154] In Step S100, the goal information is acquired. The
information of the state at the start, the goal achievement state,
the goal achievement period, and the check period is acquired from
the goal information data 51 stored in the storage unit 40. If the
goal information data 51 is not generated yet, the operation unit
33 and the display unit 31 are controlled to display a screen
prompting an input, and the goal information is thus acquired from
the subject.
[0155] In Step S110, the achievement state information is acquired.
The achievement state data of the subject is acquired from the
achievement state data 53 stored in the storage unit 40. If the
achievement state data stored in the achievement state data 53 is
not updated, the operation unit 33 and the display unit 31 are
controlled to display a screen prompting an input, and the
achievement state data is thus acquired from the subject.
Meanwhile, if the achievement state information is to be received
from the measuring device 10 or an external device, the
communication with each device is established and the achievement
state data is acquired. The newly acquired achievement state data
is stored in the achievement state data 53. In this step, the
function of the achievement state acquisition unit 71 is
implemented.
[0156] This step corresponds to the achievement state acquisition
process.
[0157] In Step S120, the activity data is acquired. The activity
data of the subject is acquired from the activity data 55 stored in
the storage unit 40. If the activity data stored in the activity
data 55 is not updated, the communication unit 37 is controlled to
establish the communication with the measuring device 10, and the
activity data accumulated in the measuring device 10 is received.
The newly received activity data is stored in the activity data 55.
In this step, the function of the activity data acquisition unit 73
is implemented.
[0158] In Step S130, the amount of action information is
calculated. Specifically, the amount of action is calculated from
the activity data acquired in Step S120. The calculated amount of
action is added up and the cumulative value of the amount of action
from the start of the action is thus calculated. In this step, the
function of the amount of action calculation unit 75 is
implemented.
[0159] This step corresponds to the amount of action calculation
process.
[0160] In Step S140, whether the check date has come or not is
determined. Whether or not the check period has passed since the
start of the action or since the previous check date is determined.
If the check date has come (Step S140; Yes), the processing goes to
Step S150. If the check date has not come (Step S140; No), the
processing returns to Step S110 and Steps S110 to S130 are
repeated.
[0161] In Step S150, whether the goal achievement state or the goal
achievement period is reached or not is determined. If the
achievement state acquired in Step S110 has reached the goal
achievement state acquired in Step S100, or if the check date has
reached the goal achievement period acquired in Step S100 (Step
S150; Yes), this flow ends. If the goal achievement state is not
reached and the goal achievement period is not reached (Step S150;
No), the processing goes to Step S160.
[0162] In Step S160, the motivation determination processing is
executed. In this step, the function of the motivation
determination unit 77 is implemented and the state of motivation of
the subject is determined. As the state of motivation, the states
of achievability and urgency, which form motivation, are
determined. The flow of the motivation determination processing
will be described in detail, using FIG. 6 to FIG. 8.
[0163] This step corresponds to the motivation determination
process.
[0164] In Step S170, advice is generated. Specifically, advice
wording corresponding to the state of motivation determined in Step
S160 is generated with reference to the advice correspondence table
43 and the advice wording data 45. In this step, the function of
the advice generation unit 79 is implemented.
[0165] This step corresponds to the advice generation process.
[0166] In Step S180, the advice is displayed. The advice wording
generated in Step S170 is outputted to the display unit 31. An
example of advice displayed for each state of motivation that is
determined will be described later using FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
(Flow of Motivation Determination Processing)
[0167] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the motivation
determination processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of
achievability determination processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart
showing the flow of urgency determination processing.
[0168] Step S200 to Step S230 shown in FIG. 6 are steps explaining
details of the flow of the processing of Step S160 shown in FIG.
5.
[0169] In Step S200, the trend of change in the achievement state
is calculated. Specifically, the difference in the achievement
state between the start and the end of the check period is
calculated, and which of the + trend, the - trend, and the 0 trend
the trend of change is, is decided.
[0170] In Step S210, the trend of change in the amount of action is
calculated. Specifically, the difference in the cumulative value of
the amount of action between the start and the end of the check
period is calculated, and which of the + trend and the 0 trend the
trend of change is, is decided.
[0171] In Step S220, the achievability determination processing is
carried out. Which level of "high", "middle", and "low" the state
of achievability of the subject is, is determined. Details of this
step will be described using Step S300 to Step S330 (FIG. 7).
[0172] In Step S230, the urgency determination processing is
carried out. Which level of "high", "middle", and "low" the state
of urgency of the subject is, is determined. Details of this step
will be described using Step S400 to Step S430 (FIG. 8).
[0173] Now shift to FIG. 7.
[0174] In Step S300, the state of achievability is determined based
on the results of the trend of change in the achievement state
(achievement trend) and the trend of change in the amount of action
(action trend). If the result of combination of (achievement trend,
action trend) is (+ trend, + trend), the processing goes to Step
S310. If the combination is (0 trend, + trend), the processing goes
to Step S320. If the combination is (- trend, + trend), the
processing goes to Step S330.
[0175] In Step S310, the achievability is determined as "high" and
3 is substituted for a variable GP.
[0176] In Step S320, the achievability is determined as "middle"
and 2 is substituted for the variable GP.
[0177] In Step S330, the achievability is determined as "low" and 1
is substituted for the variable GP.
[0178] Now shift to FIG. 8.
[0179] In Step S400, the state of urgency is determined based on
the results of achievement trend and action trend. If the result of
combination of (achievement trend, action trend) is (arbitrary, +
trend), the processing goes to Step S410. If the combination is (-
trend, 0 trend), the processing goes to Step S420. If the
combination is (+ trend, 0 trend), the processing goes to Step
S430.
[0180] In Step S410, the urgency is determined as "high" and 3 is
substituted for a variable DP.
[0181] In Step S420, the urgency is determined as "middle" and 2 is
substituted for the variable DP.
[0182] In Step S430, the urgency is determined as "low" and 1 is
substituted for the variable DP.
(Display Example of Advice)
[0183] FIG. 9 is a display example of advice corresponding to the
state of achievability.
[0184] If the achievability is determined as "high" in the
achievability determination processing, 3 is substituted for the
variable GP. In the case of GP=3, advice 451 is displayed. In the
advice 451, since the subject feels that the achievability is high,
advice with a content to maintain the high state is generated and
displayed.
[0185] If the achievability is determined as "middle", 2 is
substituted for the variable GP. In the case of GP=2, advice 453 is
displayed. In the advice 453, since the subject does not feel that
the achievability is as high as the above "high" level, advice with
a content suggesting that the achievement trend will change to the
+ trend if the subject changes the action trend to the + trend and
continues that trend, is generated and displayed.
[0186] If the achievability is determined as "low", 1 is
substituted for the variable GP. In the case of GP=1, advice 455 is
displayed. In the advice 455, since the subject feels that the
achievability is low, advice with a content which makes the subject
notice the cause of the achievement trend being the - trend and
thus theoretically leads the subject to take some measures so as to
eliminate the psychological state that the achievability is low, is
generated and displayed.
[0187] FIG. 10 is a display example of advice corresponding to the
state of urgency.
[0188] If the urgency is determined as "high" in the urgency
determination processing, 3 is substituted for the variable DP. In
the case of DP=3, advice 461 is displayed. In the advice 461, since
the subject feels that the urgency is high, advice with a content
which leads the subject toward not taking excessive action because
of the high urgency is generated and displayed.
[0189] If the urgency is determined as "middle", 2 is substituted
for the variable DP. In the case of DP=2, advice 463 is displayed.
In the advice 463, since the subject does not feel that the urgency
is as high as the above "high" level, if the action trend is left
as the 0 trend, the achievement trend is left as the - trend.
Therefore, advice with a content which specifically expresses a
conclusion that will be reached if this state continues is
generated and displayed.
[0190] If the urgency is determined as "low", 1 is substituted for
the variable DP. In the case of DP=1, advice 465 is displayed. In
the advice 465, since the urgency of the subject is low, advice
with a content including an expression to change the action trend
toward the + trend is generated and displayed.
[0191] As described above, the advice generation system 1 according
to the embodiment can achieve the following effects.
[0192] According to the advice generation system 1, the motivation
determination unit 77 quantifies the levels of the elements of
achievement and urgency forming the state of motivation, based on
the achievement state information of the subject and the amount of
action information of the subject. Specifically, the state of
achievability is expressed by each level of "high", "middle", or
"low", and the state of urgency is expressed by each level of
"high", "middle", or "low". Also, the information used for the
determination on motivation is the activity data of the subject
measured by the measuring unit 11 and the achievement state
information acquired from the subject, which are the information
actually measured from the subject.
[0193] In this way, the motivation determination unit 77 realizes
the quantification of motivation, which is the psychological state
of the subject, based on the information directly measured from the
subject.
[0194] The advice generation unit 79 can select, from the advice
wording data 45, the most suitable advice wording to maintain the
states of achievability and urgency at a high level for each level
expressing the quantified states of achievability and urgency, and
thus can generate advice.
[0195] Therefore, the advice generation system 1 can generate
advice reflecting the state of motivation of the subject and can
provide the subject with advice corresponding to the status of
motivation of the subject.
Embodiment 2
[0196] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described using FIG. 11, FIG. 12,
FIG. 13, and FIG. 14.
[0197] While the advice generation system 1 according to Embodiment
1 is a system which generates advice for one subject, an advice
generation system 2 according to Embodiment 2 is different in that
the advice generation system 2 generates advice for a plurality of
subjects and that the generated advice is generated with reference
to information of other subjects than the subject him/herself. The
other features are similar to those of Embodiment 1. Also,
components similar to those of Embodiment 1 are similarly applied
to this embodiment. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, components similar to
those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by reference signs similar to
those in the illustrations explained in Embodiment 1, and detailed
explanation thereof is omitted.
[0198] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of the advice generation system according to Embodiment 2. The
advice generation system 2 is made up of a measuring device 10, a
PC 30b and the like, and various data are transmitted and received
between the two via wireless communication 9. The measuring device
10 and the wireless communication 9 are the same components as
those of Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, different components from those
of Embodiment 1 will be described, mainly with respect to the PC
30b.
[0199] The PC 30b is configured with a storage unit 40b, a control
unit 60b and the like.
[0200] The storage unit 40b has a grouping table 210, a database
230 and the like.
[0201] The grouping table 210 is a table in which an objective and
the degree of difficulty to achieve the objective are defined. The
objective and the degree of difficulty are derived from information
at the time of setting the goal of the subject, by a grouping unit
201, described later.
[0202] The storage unit 40b corresponds to the storage unit.
[0203] FIG. 12 is a view explaining an example of the grouping
table. FIG. 12(a) is an example of a group definition table. FIG.
12(b) is an example of a difficult degree definition table using
weight loss target as an example. FIG. 12(c) is an example of a
difficulty degree definition table using full marathon target time
as an example. FIG. 12(d) is an example of a difficulty degree
definition table using half marathon target time as an example.
[0204] In a group definition table 211 shown in FIG. 12(a),
"objective" is described in the direction of column, and "degree of
difficulty" is described in the direction of row.
[0205] The "objective" is a matter that should be realized for
health improvement and enhancement of athletic ability. In the
group definition table 211, as examples of the "objective", "weight
loss" is given as an objective A, "full marathon" is given as an
objective B, and "half marathon" is given as an objective C. The
"weight loss" indicates the objective of loading body weight. The
"full marathon" indicates the objective of reducing the completing
time of a full marathon. The "half marathon" indicates the
objective of reducing the completing time of a half marathon.
[0206] The "degree of difficulty" is the degree of difficulty in
achieving the "objective". In order from the lowest degree of
difficulty (easiest), "level 1", "level 2", "level 3", "level 4",
and "level 5" are defined. The "level 5" indicates the highest
degree of difficulty of these (most difficult).
[0207] In the group definition table 211, in the sections where the
"objective" and the "degree of difficulty" cross each other, group
names for groupings are defined. For example, for the objective A
of "weight loss", group names corresponding to the respective
levels of the degree of difficulty are defined, and groups A1 to A5
are defined for the levels 1 to 5, respectively. Similarly, for the
objective B of "full marathon", groups B1 to B5 are defined
corresponding to the levels 1 to 5 of the degree of difficulty. For
the objective C of "half marathon," groups C1 to C5 are defined
corresponding to the levels 1 to 5 of the degree of difficulty.
[0208] A difficulty degree definition table 213 shown in FIG. 12(b)
is a table which decides the "degree of difficulty" for the
objective A of "weight loss". "Weight loss target" is described in
the direction of column in the difficulty degree definition table
213, and "current state" is described in the direction of row. The
"weight loss target" indicates the state at the time of achieving
the goal and here indicates the target weight to lose. The
descriptions of "30 kg", "20 kg", and "10 kg" indicate the target
weights 30 kg, 20 kg, and 10 kg to lose respectively from the
current body weight. The "current state" indicates the current body
weight. For example, the body weight measured at the time of
setting the goal is applied. The row where the "current state" is
"100 kg" indicates that the current body weight is 100 kg or above.
The current state of "90 kg" indicates that the current body weight
is 90 kg or above, and below 100 kg. The current state of "80 kg"
indicates that the current body weight is 80 kg or above, and below
90 kg.
[0209] In the sections where the "weight loss target" and the
"current state" cross each other, levels 1 to 5 indicating levels
of the degree of difficulty are defined. For example, if the
current state is "100 kg" and the weight loss target is "30 kg",
the "level 3" is defined. If the current state is "100 kg" and the
weight loss target is "20 kg", the "level 2" is defined. This shows
that, if the current body weight is the same, the weight loss
target of "20 kg" is easier to achieve than "30 kg". As the level
of the degree of difficulty, the level 2 lower than the level 3 of
"30 kg" is the level of "20 kg".
[0210] A difficulty degree definition table 215 shown in FIG. 12(c)
is a table which decides the "degree of difficulty" for the
objective B of "full marathon". "Target" is described in the
direction of column in the difficulty degree definition table 215,
and "current state" is described in the direction of row. The
"target" indicates the state at the time of achieving the goal and
here indicates the target completing time. The descriptions of "2 h
30 m", "3 h", "3 h 30 m", "4 h", and "4 h 30 m" indicate that the
target completing time is 2 hours 30 minutes or shorter, longer
than 2 hours 30 minutes and equal to or shorter than 3 hours,
longer than 3 hours and equal to or shorter than 3 hours 30
minutes, longer than 3 hours 30 minutes and equal to or shorter
than 4 hours, and longer than 4 hours and equal to or shorter than
4 hours 30 minutes, respectively, in order. The "current state"
indicates the completing time based on the current ability. The
description of "3 h" indicates that the current completing time of
a full marathon is 3 hours or shorter. Similarly, "3 h 30 m", "4
h", "4 h 30 m", and "5 h" indicate that the current completing time
is longer than 3 hours and equal to or shorter than 3 hours 30
minutes, longer than 3 hours 30 minutes and equal to or shorter
than 4 hours, longer than 4 hours and equal to or shorter than 4
hours 30 minutes, and longer than 4 hours 30 minutes and equal to
or shorter than 5 hours, respectively, in order.
[0211] In the sections where the "target" and the "current state"
cross each other, levels 1 to 5 indicating levels of the degree of
difficulty are defined. For example, the degree of difficulty for a
subject whose current completing time is 3 hours aims to achieve 2
hours 30 minutes is the level 5, which is a high level. The degree
of difficulty for a subject whose current completing time is 5
hours aims to achieve 4 hours 30 minutes is the level 1, which is a
low level. In the sections where a slant line is given, no element
is defined. For example, in the case where a subject whose current
completing time is 5 hours aims to achieve the completing time of 3
hours 30 minutes, if the subject continues training and shortens
the completing time, the entry of "current state" is moved up and
the degree of difficulty increases by each stage, such as, from the
level 1 to the level 2 and then to the level 3.
[0212] A difficulty degree definition table 217 shown in FIG. 12(d)
is a table which decides the "degree of difficulty" for the
objective C of "half marathon". "Target" is described in the
direction of column in the difficulty degree definition table 217,
and "current state" is described in the direction of row. The
difficulty degree definition table 217 is different from the
difficulty degree definition table 215 in the times set as the
"target" and "current" completing times, but similar in the other
definition contents.
[0213] Back to FIG. 11, the database 230 forming the storage unit
40b will be described. The database 230 is a database engine such
as a relational database and manages a plurality of personal data
50b.
[0214] In the personal data 50b, information of one subject is
stored. As the database 230, the personal data 50b of a plurality
of subjects are stored. In the database 230, a database program or
the like for searching for various data such as goal information
data 51, achievement state data 53, activity data 55, and group
information data 231 contained in the personal data 50b, by various
conditional equations, is stored as well. The database program is
read and executed by the control unit 60b.
[0215] In the group information data 231, information of the group
to which the subject belongs is stored. A group name is stored as
the information of the group. The group name is information such as
the groups A1 to A5 shown in FIG. 12 (a).
[0216] The personal data 50b managed in the database 230 is not
limited to personal data of a subject who is executing a goal
achievement action, and personal data of a subject who has finished
a goal achievement action may be stored as well. Also, personal
data of a subject who is successful in achieving the goal and a
subject who has finished while still unable to achieve the goal, or
the like, may be stored. By storing information of subjects in such
diverse states, it is possible to generate advice including
abundant information.
[0217] The control unit 60b is configured with functional units
such as an advice processing unit 70b and a grouping unit 201.
Also, the advice processing unit 70b has an advice generation unit
79b.
[0218] The grouping unit 201 decides the group to which the subject
belongs. Specifically, the state at the time of setting the goal
(before starting the action) and the state at the time of achieving
the goal are acquired from the goal information acquired from the
subject. From the state at the time of achieving the goal, the
"objective" of the subject is determined and the objective
corresponding to the entry of the "objective" in the group
definition table 211 is selected. Next, which level the "degree of
difficulty" is, is decided, using the information of the state at
the time of setting the goal and the state at the time of achieving
the goal and referring to the difficulty degree definition table
213 (215, 217). As the "objective" and the "degree of difficulty"
are decided, the group name for the crossing elements is decided.
The decided group name is stored as the group information data 231.
The subject is regarded as belonging to the group of the decided
group name.
[0219] The grouping unit 201 corresponds to the grouping unit.
[0220] The advice generation unit 79b generates advice for the
subject, referring to the information of the personal data within
the group to which the subject belongs. Specifically, the subjects
in the same group defined in the group definition table 211 are a
group of subjects who have a common objective and a common degree
of difficulty to achieve the goal. Therefore, the subject has an
affinity to the information of the subjects in the same group, as
information of the subjects having the same experience, according
to the law of similarity (psychology). The information of a subject
who has successfully achieved the goal is effective in increasing
the element of achievability of motivation. On the contrary, the
information of a subject who has failed to achieve the goal is
effective in increasing the element of urgency of motivation.
[0221] Referring to the achievement state data 53 and the activity
data 55 from the personal data 50b of the same group as the
subject, the advice generation unit 79b acquires achievement state
information including success and failure from the achievement
state data 53 and acquires information of the action content from
the activity data 55. Based on the achievement state information
and the information of the action content that are acquired, advice
for the subject currently taking action is generated.
[0222] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of advice generation
processing referring to groups. This flow is a flow of processing
executed by the control unit 60b controlling each unit including
the display unit 31 and the storage unit 40b.
[0223] In Step S500, the group of the subject is decided. The group
to which the subject belongs is decided referring to the grouping
table 210 based on the goal information acquired from the
subject.
[0224] In Step S510, the information of the same group is acquired.
Specifically, the information of other subjects in the group to
which the subject belongs is acquired. Specifically, the personal
data 50b with the same group name is acquired from the database
230. From the acquired personal data 50b, the information of the
activity data 55 with which the achievement state data 53 shows
that the goal is achieved, is acquired as information for the
achievement of the goal (success information). Meanwhile, from the
acquired personal data 50b, the information of the activity data 55
with which the achievement state data 53 shows that the goal is not
achieved, is acquired as information for the non-achievement of the
goal (failure information).
[0225] In Step S520, advice for the subject is generated referring
to the information of the same group. Specifically, advice wording
for the subject is generated based on the information acquired in
Step S510. In the case of the success information, the information
of the activity data 55 is searched for information about regular
actions, and the resulting information is converted into wording.
For example, if a value of low exercise intensity of jogging or the
like is maintained for approximately an hour, every day, early in
the morning, wording such as "People carrying out an exercise with
the exercise intensity of light jogging or the like for 60 minutes
or longer early in the morning tend to achieve the goal" are
generated.
[0226] In Step S530, the advice for the subject is displayed. The
advice generated in Step S520 is outputted to the display unit
31.
[0227] FIG. 14 is a display example of advice referring to groups.
As advice 240, wording of "People carrying out exercise with
exercise intensity of light jogging or the like for 60 minutes or
longer in early morning tend to achieve the goal," is generated
from the success information of the same group. The activity data
55 of the subject and the success information of the same group are
compared, and wording of "You might want to try doing your current
evening exercise in early morning from time to time. You can expect
higher effects," is generated.
[0228] As advice 241, wording of "Your cumulative amount of
exercise ranks 25.sup.th among 25," is generated from the activity
data 55 of the subject and statistical information of the other
subjects in the same group. Wording of "Other people have been
losing 1 kg a month on average. Do your training, according to a
milestone," is generated from the success information of the same
group.
[0229] As described above, the advice generation system 2 according
to the embodiment can achieve the following effects in addition to
the effects of the foregoing embodiment.
[0230] According to the advice generation system 2, the group to
which the subject belongs is decided by the grouping unit 201. It
means that all of the subjects belonging to the group have a common
objective and a common degree of difficulty. The advice generation
unit 79b generates advice wording which increases the element of
achievability of the motivation of the subject or advice wording
which increases the element of urgency of the motivation from
information of the personal data 50b of the subject and the other
personal data 50b in the same group.
[0231] Thus, as the advice generation system 2 provides the subject
with advice generated based on experience information of other
subjects having a common objective and a common degree of
difficulty, the subject can take an action to achieve the goal in
the state where higher motivation is maintained.
Embodiment 3
[0232] Next, Embodiment 3 will be described using FIG. 15, FIG. 16,
and FIG. 17. In the above embodiments, a regular check period is
provided and information of the achievement state and the amount of
action on the check date is acquired so as to generate advice.
However, an advice generation system 3 according to Embodiment 3 is
different in that the length of the check period is changed based
on the result of determination on motivation. The other features
are similar to those of the above embodiments. Also, components
similar to those of the above embodiments are similarly applied to
this embodiment. In FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, components similar to those
of the above embodiments are denoted by reference signs similar to
those in the illustrations explained in the above embodiments, and
detailed explanation thereof is omitted.
[0233] In the description below, the check period is referred to as
a milestone period, and the check date is referred to as a
milestone date. On the milestone date, an intermediate goal is set
in addition to checking the achievement state and the amount of
action during the check period. The subject acts to achieve the
intermediate goal during the milestone period, which is shorter
than the period until the achievement of the goal, and repeats the
achievement of the intermediate goal on the milestone date, thus
ultimately achieving the goal. The milestone period corresponds to
the predetermined period, similarly to the check period.
[0234] If the subject is allowed to feel that the achievement state
of the intermediate goal on the milestone date is within reach, the
state of achievability of the subject rises and the motivation can
be maintained in a high state. Hereinafter, the advice generation
system 3 which changes the milestone date based on the achievement
state and the amount of action of the subject and thus can maintain
the motivation of the subject in a high state, will be described
below.
[0235] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration
of the advice generation system 3 according to Embodiment 3. The
advice generation system 3 is made up of a measuring device 10, a
PC 30c and the like, and various data are transmitted and received
between the two via wireless communication 9. The measuring device
10 and the wireless communication 9 are the same components as
those of the foregoing embodiments. Hereinafter, different
components from those of the foregoing embodiments will be
described, mainly with respect to the PC 30c.
[0236] The PC 30c is configured with a control unit 60c and the
like.
[0237] The control unit 60c is configured with a functional unit of
a milestone update processing unit 301.
[0238] The milestone update processing unit 301 updates the
milestone period. Specifically, the achievement trend up to the
ultimate goal that is set at the time of setting the goal and the
achievement trend up to the intermediate goal for the milestone
period are compared, and if the achievement trend for the
intermediate goal is above (more favorable than) the achievement
trend for the ultimate goal, the interval of the subsequent
milestone period is made longer. If the achievement trend for the
intermediate goal is below (less favorable than) the achievement
trend for the ultimate goal, the interval of the subsequent
milestone period is made shorter. If the achievement trend for the
ultimate goal and the achievement trend for the intermediate goal
are substantially the same, the interval of the milestone period is
not changed.
[0239] The milestone update processing unit 301 corresponds to the
predetermined period change unit.
[0240] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of milestone update
processing. This flow is a flow of processing executed by the
control unit 60c controlling each unit including the display unit
31, the operation unit 33, the clocking unit 35, the communication
unit 37, and the storage unit 40 or the like. As this flow is
executed, the functions of the functional units of the advice
processing unit 70b and the milestone update processing unit 301
are implemented.
[0241] In Step S600, goal information is acquired. The goal
information includes information such as the state at the start,
the goal achievement state, the goal achievement period, and the
check period. In Step S610, an initial value of the milestone
period is set. As the milestone period, the check period acquired
in Step S600 is set.
[0242] In Step S620, achievement state information is acquired. The
achievement state data of the subject is acquired from the
achievement state data 53 stored in the storage unit 40. In Step
S630, activity data is acquired. The activity data of the subject
is acquired from the activity data 55 stored in the storage unit
40. In Step S640, amount of action information is calculated. The
amount of action is calculated from the activity data acquired in
Step S630. The calculated amount of action is added up, thus
calculating the cumulative value of the amount of action from the
start of the action as well.
[0243] In Step S650, whether the milestone date has come or not is
determined. If the milestone date has come (Step S650; Yes), the
processing goes to Step S660. If the milestone date has not come
(Step S650; No), the processing returns to Step S620 and Steps S620
to S640 are repeated.
[0244] In Step S660, whether the goal achievement state or the goal
achievement period is reached or not is determined. If the
achievement state acquired in Step S620 has reached the goal
achievement state acquired in Step S600, or if the milestone date
has reached the ending date of the goal achievement period (Step
S660; Yes), this flow ends. If the goal achievement state is not
reached and the ending date of the goal achievement period is not
reached (Step S660; No), the processing goes to Step S670.
[0245] In Step S670, motivation determination processing is
executed. In this step, the function of the motivation
determination unit 77 is implemented and the state of motivation of
the subject is determined. As the state of motivation, the states
of achievability and urgency forming the motivation are determined.
In Step S680, advice is generated. In Step S690, the advice is
displayed.
[0246] In Step S700, milestone update processing is carried out.
Specifically, using the goal information acquired in Step S600 and
the achievement state information acquired in Step S620, the
milestone period is changed and the next milestone date is decided.
The decided milestone date is defined as a new milestone date, and
the processing goes to Step S620.
[0247] As the milestone date is decided in Step S700 in this flow,
the control unit 60c displays the next milestone date on the
display unit 31 or the like. After that, the operation unit 33 is
controlled to acquire, from the subject, information such as the
achievement state for the intermediate goal toward the next
milestone date.
[0248] Next, the milestone update processing will be explained.
[0249] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the milestone
update processing. This flow is a flow showing the processing of
Step S700 (FIG. 16) in detail.
[0250] In Step S710, an achievement trend A up to the ultimate goal
is calculated. Specifically, the state at the start, the goal
achievement state, and the goal achievement period are acquired
from the goal information, and the achievement trend until the
achievement of the ultimate goal is expressed by a numerical value.
Specifically, the state at the start is subtracted from the goal
achievement state, and the value obtained by dividing the result by
the goal achievement period is calculated as the achievement trend
A. For example, if the body weight is to be reduced by 30 kg in six
months, 5 kg per month is calculated as the achievement trend
A.
[0251] In Step S720, an achievement trend B for the milestone
period is calculated. Specifically, referring to the achievement
state acquired in Step $620, the first achievement state is
subtracted from the last achievement state during the milestone
period, and the value obtained by dividing the result by the
milestone period is calculated as the achievement trend B. For
example, if the milestone period is 2 months and 3 kg is lost
during the milestone period, 1.5 kg per month is calculated as the
achievement trend B.
[0252] Since the achievement trend A and the achievement trend B
are compared with in a later step, the same unit needs to be used.
In the above example, the weight lost per month is used as the
unit.
[0253] In Step S730, the achievement trend A and the achievement
trend B are compared. Specifically, the achievement trend A and the
achievement trend B are compared, and if the achievement trend A is
greater than the achievement trend B, the processing goes to Step
S740. If the achievement trend A is smaller than the achievement
trend B, the processing goes to Step S750. If the achievement trend
A and the achievement trend B are substantially the same, the
processing returns to Step S700. If the achievement trend A and the
achievement trend B are substantially the same, a predetermined
margin value may be provided, and if the difference between the
achievement trend A and the achievement trend B is within a
predetermined margin value range, it may be determined that these
trends are the same. In this case, if the difference is above the
range of the predetermined margin value range, the processing goes
to Step S740. If the difference is below the predetermined margin
value range, the processing goes to Step S750.
[0254] In Step S740, the interval of the milestone period is
shortened. Specifically, the milestone period is set to a period
that is three quarters, half or the like of the previous one. For
example, the milestone period of one month is changed to three
weeks or two weeks. After the milestone period is changed, the
processing returns to Step S700.
[0255] In Step S750, the interval of the milestone period is
extended. Specifically, the milestone period is set to a period
that is twice, one and a half times or the like of the previous
one. For example, the milestone period of one month is changed to
two months or six weeks. After the milestone period is changed, the
processing returns to Step S700.
[0256] In the flow of Steps S710 to S750, the condition that the
milestone period is changed using the trend of the achievement
state (achievement trend A and achievement trend B) is used.
However, this method is not limiting and the milestone period may
be changed using the amount of action information. In the case
where the amount of action information is used, if the trend of
change in the amount of action planned at the time of setting the
goal is greater than the trend of change in the amount of action
taken during the milestone period, the milestone period is set to
be longer. On the contrary, if the trend of change in the amount of
action taken during the milestone period is smaller, the milestone
period is set to be shorter.
[0257] As described above, the advice generation system 3 according
to the embodiment can achieve the following effects in addition to
the effects of the foregoing embodiments.
[0258] According to the advice generation system 3, the milestone
update processing unit 301 compares the achievement trend up to the
ultimate goal set at the time of setting the goal and the
achievement trend up to the intermediate goal for the milestone
period. If, as the result of the comparison, achievement trend
during the milestone period is below the achievement trend up to
the ultimate goal and does not progress favorably, the subsequent
milestone period is set to be shorter. Thus, for a subject whose
achievement state is stagnating, there is a risk of lowered state
of achievability, and in such a case, the subsequent milestone
period is set to be shorter. As the milestone period is set to be
shorter than before, the subject can reach the intermediate goal
more easily and therefore the state of achievability is improved.
As the state of achievement is improved, the motivation of the
subject is increased and the achievement trend rises as well.
[0259] If the achievement trend for the milestone period is above
the achievement trend up to the ultimate goal and progresses
favorably, the subsequent milestone period is set to be longer.
This has the effect of restoring the original milestone period from
the shortened milestone period, if the achievement trend is
improved favorably.
(Modification 1)
[0260] In the above Embodiment 3, the milestone update processing
unit 301 compares the achievement trend up to the ultimate goal set
at the time of setting the goal and the achievement trend up to the
intermediate goal for the milestone period and updates the
milestone period. However, this configuration is not limiting. The
milestone period may be updated, using and comparing the states of
achievability and urgency outputted from the motivation
determination unit 77.
[0261] Specifically, if the achievability is determined as "low" by
the motivation determination unit 77, or if the urgency is
determined as "low", the subsequent milestone period is set to the
shorter. Meanwhile, if the achievability is determined as "high" by
the motivation determination unit 77, or if the urgency is
determined as "high", the subsequent milestone period is set to be
longer.
[0262] Using the result of the determination by the motivation
determination unit 77, the milestone period can be set to be
shorter for a subject whose motivation state is lowered, and the
state of achievability can thus be improved.
(Modification 2)
[0263] This modification is described using FIG. 4, FIG. 11, and
FIG. 15.
[0264] In the foregoing embodiments and modification, the advice
generation system 1 (2, 3) is configured in such a way that the
measuring device 10 and the PC 30 (30b, 30c) are connected together
via the wireless communication 9. However, this configuration is
not limiting and a configuration with the measuring device 10 only
may be employed as well. In the measuring device 10 in such a
configuration, the motivation determination table 41, the advice
correspondence table 43, and the advice wording data 45 are stored
in the storage unit 25 in advance, and the control unit 27 has a
functional unit corresponding to the advice processing unit 70
(70b). With this configuration, in the measuring device 10 alone,
advice generated based on pulse data and activity data measured by
the measuring unit 11 is displayed on the display unit 17. The
subject can receive advice to maintain and improve motivation, by
wearing the measuring device 10 and acting accordingly.
[0265] The measuring device 10 in this modification corresponds to
the advice generation device.
(Modification 3)
[0266] In the foregoing embodiments and modifications, the advice
generation unit 79 (79b) generates advice wording for the subject.
However, this configuration is not limiting. The advice generation
unit 79 (79b) may generate icon data, animations, and graphs or the
like. Motivation can be maintained and improved by expressions
which the subject can easily understand.
[0267] Also, a configuration in which the result of the training
status or the like of the subject may be shown in a graph or the
like, may be included. Moreover, information of the training
statuses of other subjects in the group to which the subject
belongs may be processed by a statistical method and shown in a
graph or the like. The subject can select information that is
necessary for him/herself from various different kinds of
information.
(Modification 4)
[0268] In the foregoing embodiments and modifications, the weight
lost by the subject is used as an example of the achievement state
information. However, depending on the set goal, the achievement
state information may be, for example, a reduction in the time
taken for running a predetermined distance such as 10 km or 20 km,
or an athletic ability indicator such as a distance that the
subject can run continuously. Also, the achievement state
information may be a physical strength indicator such as maximum
oxygen uptake, exercise duration until the maximum pulse rate is
reached, the capacity of the lungs, and an indicator related to
endurance.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0269] 1, 2, 3 . . . advice generation system, 9 . . . wireless
communication, 10 . . . measuring device, 11 . . . measuring unit,
13 . . . pulse sensor, 15 . . . body movement sensor, 17 . . .
display unit, 19 . . . operation unit, 21 . . . clocking unit, 23 .
. . communication unit, 25 . . . storage unit, 27 . . . control
unit, 30, 30b, 30c . . . PC, 31 . . . display unit, 33 . . .
operation unit, 35 . . . clocking unit, 37 . . . communication
unit, 40, 40b . . . storage unit, 41 . . . motivation determination
table, 43 . . . advice correspondence table, 45 . . . advice
wording data, 50, 50b . . . personal data, 51 . . . goal
information data, 53 . . . achievement state data, 55 . . .
activity data, 60, 60b, 60c . . . control unit, 70, 70b . . .
advice processing unit, 71 . . . achievement state acquisition
unit, 73 . . . activity data acquisition unit, 75 . . . amount of
action calculation unit, 77 . . . motivation determination unit,
79, 79b . . . advice generation unit, 201 . . . grouping unit, 210
. . . grouping table, 211 . . . group definition table, 213 . . .
difficulty degree definition table, 215 . . . difficulty degree
definition table, 217 . . . difficulty degree definition table, 230
. . . database, 231 . . . group information data, 240, 241 . . .
advice, 301 . . . milestone update processing unit, 451, 453, 455,
461, 463, 465 . . . advice.
* * * * *
References